©Harambee Stars/X
PLAYER RATINGS: Ogam dazzles as Vincent Harper struggles in Harambee Stars' victory over Burundi
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Reading Time: 1min | Thu. 09.10.25. | 18:43
The 20-year-old made all the difference after being brought on in the second half with a crucial left-footed strike
Ryan Ogam again proved the difference for Harambee Stars as they battled their way past Burundi to record their third victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
The 20-year-old was thrown in with less than 30 minutes to go in the tight contest, and provided the winning touch with a decisive left-footed finish past Jonathan Nahimana in the 72nd minute.
His telling contribution sees him lead the scores in our latest Mozzart Sport player ratings, which also includes a nightmare debut for Vincent Harper, and a promising full look at Adam Wilson.
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Bryne OdhiamboGoalkeeper
Probably thought he would not be needed all afternoon, but sprang up immediately after starter Brian Bwire sustained an injury in the first minute.
He was unsurprisingly unfazed and led with his composure to keep a routine clean sheet. His left paw in stoppage time was crucial to that.
Rating
7
Rooney OnyangoDefense
Did not hit the heights of the Seychelles game - when he had an assist - but was still enterprising on the right-hand side, providing width with his forward runs.
Passed the test defensively too, but will be mad over a late yellow card for a rash challenge.
Rating
5
Collins SichenjeMidfield
Got a chance to wear the armband when skipper Michael Olunga was subbed off, but on a day he kept a second-consecutive clean sheet, will hope he made a couple accurate passes in an uninspiring first-half.
Rating
5
Sylvester OwinoDefense
Kept his place alongside Collins Sichenje for the second game running and as usual, did little wrong. His range of passing was on full display as he sought to open spaces in the first half, and held his own comfortably in the second period.
Rating
6
Vincent HarperDefense
Had a less-than-ideal debut for Harambee Stars as he got booked early and struggled to get into the rhythm of the game. His pedestrian-like approach at left-back saw him overly commit at times, leaving chunks of space for Burundi to attack through. He was hooked off at halftime.
Rating
4
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Manzur OkwaroDefense
Was a little up and down in the first half when he picked a needless yellow for a high-boot challenge, but returned to his usual self in the second stanza when Kenya kept much of the ball. At his age, a tip of the cap for his display still.
Rating
6
Duke AbuyaMidfield
In comparison to his star show against Seychelles, this was a drop down to earth. With numerical advantage, the Yanga man tasked to unlock doors in attack was left short of ideas, and was substituted off four minutes past the hour-mark.
Rating
5
Austin OdhiamboAttack
His awaited return to the fold was not as MVP-like. As like Abuya, his contribution in attack was almost unnoticeable, despite showing an added endeavor to track back when Kenya had spells without the ball.
Rating
5
Adam WilsonAttack
McCarthy longed for the day he would lay a proper eye on him, and he would not have been disappointed with the shift the TNS man showed. Playing off the right, Wilson offered a threat with his noticeable pace, and should have scored in a more open second half.
Rating
6
William LenkupaeMidfield
It is now clear what he offers to the team - effort. The Finland-based forward never stopped running, and was the first man to pose a real threat when he whipped in a cross for Michael Olunga, only for Jonathan Nahimana to smother it. He did more of the same in the second half, and McCarthy could not ask for more heart.
Rating
6
Michael OlungaAttack
Fed on scraps in a quiet first half that saw him play more of a peacemaker, but got a bit more involved in the second half. As seen against Seychelles, the skipper dropped deeper to link up play, and it was that decision that earned Kenya the decisive goal as he received the ball just outside the box to lay it on the path of Ryan Ogam.
Rating
7
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Brian BwireGoalkeeper
No rating as he played less than a minute of action.
Rating
-
Job OchiengAttack
He built on his impressive showing against Seychelles with real impact off the bench. His pace unlocked avenues on the left-hand side, and he got close to scoring minutes after coming on. More to come from the youngster.
Rating
4
Ryan OgamAttack
Can do no wrong in our eyes. Just like in The Gambia game, the 20-year-old was thrown in from the bench to make a difference in a stodgy game, and did just that. All it took the Austrian-based man was nine minutes to plant a left-footed curler to the net. Make it three straight games with a goal.
Rating
8
Timothy OumaMidfield
Restored trust with a better show that paled in comparison to his lacklustre half against The Gambia. He on this occasion looked hungry and ready to play proper football.
Rating
6
Marvin NabwireMidfield
No fair rating as he came on late.
Rating
-
Bonface MuchiriAttack
No fair rating as he came on late.
Rating
-
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